The Mets are avoiding arbitration with relievers Edwin Díaz, Seth Lugo and Miguel Castro. Díaz will make $7MM next season, reports MLB.com Mark Feinsand (Twitter link). Lugo comes in at $2.925MM, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Castro, meanwhile, will make $1.6875MM, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post. All three pitchers are controllable through the end of the 2022 season.
Díaz comes in above his projected salary range of $5.1MM — $6.5MM. After a rocky first season in Queens, he was brilliant last year. The 26-year-old pitched to a 1.75 ERA with a 45.5% strikeout rate that ranked third among qualified relievers.
Lugo and Castro, meanwhile, fall within their projected ranges. Lugo had some tough bottom line results last year but much more impressive underlying numbers. Castro was adequate for the Mets, who acquired him midseason from the Orioles. Earlier today, New York also came to terms with Robert Gsellman and Dominic Smith.
tom brunanskys black sock
Yikes, Metropolitans took it in Diaz with this decision.
deadspy3 2
You mean they engaged in a rewarding consensual activity that satisfied both parties? You’re right.
tom brunanskys black sock
Lol nice
JOHNSmith2778
I read that too many times before getting the joke!
Al Hirschen
What ? Did he give money back to the Mets?
looiebelongsinthehall
That Diaz contract is absurd, He’s got that magic arm but has been so inconsistent to depend on in big moments. I thought the Sox overpaid in settling with Barnes. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’d rather have Barnes and be able to use the difference elsewhere. I guess Cohen does have money to burn.
Cosmo2
Remember, this is the same team that agree to pay the likes of AJ Ramos $9 million a year. Makes this Diaz deal seem like a bargain.
mlbnyyfan
Why are they keeping him. The should of non tendered him. They just signed Hand and could of gotten a Diaz replacement
deadspy3 2
He was outstanding in 2020 and otherworldly in 2018. That’s why.
VonPurpleHayes
Too many Mets fans think of 2019 Diaz as if 2018 and 2020 didn’t happen.
deadspy3 2
deadspy3 2
100%
MrMet1979 2
2019 Diaz and Familla kept the Mets out of the playoffs though. Your closer and setup man can’t pitch to a 6 ERA all season. Diaz still can’t close a ballgame in a Met uniform that success last year came in the 7th and 8th inning after he faltered in the closer role early in the year.
dawg84
The guy BLEW 4 saves in 26 appearances. He was not outstanding. Wish they would ship his ass back to Seattle. And this came off an “outstanding” 2019. Give me a break. He’s a closer. He needs to shut the door.
deadspy3 2
Saves aren’t a very useful stat
deadspy3 2
And nobody said he was outstanding in 2019
VonPurpleHayes
The 2020 Phillies bullpen made the 2019 Mets bullpen look good.
Cosmo2
I’d keep him. He’s still a decent late inning reliever with the potential to be more valuable. Ramos, on the other hand, wasn’t anywhere near that.
rct
Why on earth would they non-tender him? Absurd suggestion.
looiebelongsinthehall
Hand has not signed at least not yet.
Bill M
Like it or not, the Mets are going into the season with Diaz as the closer. Non tendering him would have made no sense. He had a very good run last year so let’s see how he does this season before throwing him out.
jallopy
So Diaz will now start writing checks to the Mets?